How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts

This wikiHow teaches you how to use common keyboard shortcuts on both Windows and Mac computers. Keyboard shortcuts allow you to perform multiple-step actions by simply pressing two or more keys at the same time. Understand how key...

Method 1 of 2:

Windows

  1. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 1How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 1 Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:[1]
    1. Ctrl - Usually found on the left and right sides of the keyboard. The right Ctrl key will be just left of the arrow keys.
    2. Alt - Found on the left and right sides of the keyboard, farther in toward the center of the keyboard than Ctrl.
    3. Shift - Symbolized by an upward-facing arrow, this key is on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
    4. Fn - The "function" key allows you to use secondary functions of other keys. Commands that use the function keys (e.g., F8) may require use of the Fn key.
    5. Win - This key displays the Windows logo, and is normally in the bottom-left side of your keyboard.
    6. Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
    7. Enter - This key allows you to open a selected item. It's essentially a mouse left-click.
  2. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 2How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 2 Use general key shortcuts to access Windows features. These combinations help you perform basic Windows tasks:
    1. F1 - Open the Help page. You must have Internet access for this. If your computer has an Fn key, you may need to hold it while pressing F1.
    2. Shift+F10 - Bring up the context menu for a selected item. This is usually accomplished by right-clicking.
    3. Ctrl+ Shift+Esc - Open the Task Manager.
    4. Ctrl+Alt+Del - Open the Windows Security menu. (works from XP to 10)
    5. Alt+Space - Bring up the current window's System menu, from which you can resize, minimize, maximize, or move the current window.
    6. Ctrl+Tab - Move through current window's tabs (e.g., in a browser).
    7. Ctrl+Esc - Open the Start menu.
    8. Alt+Tab - Switch between currently open windows, excluding the desktop.
    9. Alt+F4 - Close an open window or program.
    10. Shift+Delete - Permanently delete a selected item. This will bypass the Recycle Bin, though you'll need to click OK to confirm.
    11. Win - Open Start.
    12. Win+L - Lock the computer. If your computer doesn't use a password, this will still take you to the user selection screen.
    13. Win+R - Open the Run box.
    14. Win+M - Minimize all open windows and display the desktop.
    15. Shift+ Win+M - Restore all minimized windows.
    16. Win+E - Open File Explorer.
    17. Win+Ctrl+F - Find another computer on your network (networked computers only).
    18. Win+Tab - View all currently open Windows.
    19. Win+ Break - Open the System Properties window.
    20. Win+ PrtScr - Take a screenshot.
    21. Ctrl+F - Open a search bar to look for specific words or phrases on the page.
  3. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 3How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 3 Use keyboard shortcuts to help with typing, copying, and pasting. There are several text-editing shortcuts in Windows that extend to most instances of typing, as well as file copying and pasting:
    1. Ctrl+C - Copy selected text. You can also use this to copy selected files or folders.
    2. Ctrl+X - Copy and remove selected text (known as "cutting").
    3. Ctrl+V - Paste copied text at the cursor. This also works with files and folders.
    4. Ctrl+Z - Undo the last action. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to undo multiple mistakes.
    5. Ctrl+Y - Reverse the last undo. Depending on the program, this command can be used multiple times to revert multiple undo commands.
    6. Ctrl+P - Print your document.
    7. Ctrl+S - Save your document.
    8. Ctrl+B - Bold the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
    9. Ctrl+U - Underline the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
    10. Ctrl+I - Italicize the selected text. This will work in Microsoft Office products and most email providers.
  4. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 4How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 4 Use keyboard shortcuts in File Explorer. There are a few keyboard shortcuts you can use to navigate in the File Explorer:
    1. F2 - Rename a selected item.
    2. F4 - Places the mouse cursor in the address bar.
    3. F5 - Refreshes the folder.
    4. F6 - Selects a different pane in the File Explorer window.
    5. Ctrl+A - Selects every item in the current window.
    6. Alt+ Enter - Open a selected item's Properties menu.
  5. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 5How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 5 Use key shortcuts with the mouse. Most programs have an advanced menu that can be accessed using the mouse while pressing a key:
    1. Shift + Right-Click - Shows a drop-down menu with extra options based on the item you're right-clicking.
    2. Shift + Double-Click - Runs the alternate double-click command, which is the second option in the right-click drop-down menu.
    3. Alt + Double-Click - Open an item's Properties window.

Method 2 of 2:

Mac

  1. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 6How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 6 Understand how key shortcuts work. To use a key shortcut, you will hold down one or more modifier keys and press a letter (or another modifier key). Modifier keys include the following:[2]
    1. Command - Located on the left and right sides of the spacebar.
    2. Option - Located next to the Command keys.
    3. Control - Located on the left side of the keyboard.
    4. Fn - Located in the bottom-left side of the keyboard. This key activates the alternative uses for the "Function" keys (e.g., F8).
    5. Shift - Located on the left and right sides of the keyboard.
    6. Arrow keys - While not technically modifier keys, the arrow keys can be used to select items.
    7. Return - Located on the right side of the keyboard. Allows you to open a selected item.
  2. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 7How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 7 Use keyboard shortcuts for common actions. Instead of using the mouse or a program's buttons, you can use your Mac's keyboard to do things like copying files or text, and opening certain programs:
    1. Command+X - Copy selected text or file, then delete it from the current location (also called "cutting").
    2. Command+C - Copy selected text or file without deleting it.
    3. Command+V - Paste a copied item.
    4. Command+Z - Undo the last command.
    5. Command+ Shift+Z - Redo the last command if you used the Undo command.
    6. Command+A - Select all items in your current folder.
    7. Command+F - Open the search bar in a specific window, browser, or program.
    8. Command+G - Find the next instance of an item (e.g., a word) you searched for.
    9. Command+ Shift+G - Find the previous instance of an item you searched for.
    10. Command+H - Hide the front (currently open) app or program's window.
    11. Command+ Option+H - Hide all windows except the front app or program.
    12. Command+M - Minimize the front window.
    13. Command+ Option+M - Minimize all front app's windows.
    14. Command+N - Open a new document, window, or tab depending on the program you're using.
    15. Command+O - Open a selected item (e.g., a file or folder).
    16. Command+P - Print the current document.
    17. Command+S - Save your current document.
    18. Command+Q - Quit the front app.
    19. Command+Esc - Open the Force Quit menu.
    20. Command+ Shift+ Option+Esc - Hold for three seconds to force-quit the front app.
    21. Command+Space - Bring up the Spotlight search bar.
    22. Command+Tab - Switch to the next open app.
    23. Command+ Shift+~ - Switch to the next window of the front app.
    24. Command+ Shift+3 - Take a full-screen screenshot.
    25. Command+, - Open the front app's preferences.
  3. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 8How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 8 Make your computer sleep, log out, or shut down. There are several shortcuts you can use to lock down your computer quickly:
    1. Control + Power button - Bring up the Sleep/Restart/Shut down menu.
    2. Control+ Command + Power button - Force your Mac to reboot.
    3. Control+ Shift + Power button - Shut off your Mac's screen.
    4. Control+ Command + Media eject button - Quit all apps, then restart.
    5. Control+ Option+ Command + Power button - Quit all apps, then shut down.
    6. Shift+ Command+Q - Brings up a prompt that, when accepted, logs you out of your account.
    7. Option+ Shift+ Command+Q - Logs you out of your account without asking to confirm.
  4. How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 9How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts Picture 9 Use shortcuts to navigate the Finder. You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform several actions inside of the Finder:
    1. Command+D - Duplicate selected items.
    2. Command+E - Eject a selected drive (e.g., flash drive).
    3. Command+F - Open Spotlight in the Finder.
    4. Command+I - Display the Get Info window for a selected item.
    5. Command+ Shift+C - Open the Computer folder.
    6. Command+ Shift+D - Open the Desktop folder.
    7. Command+ Shift+F - Open the All My Files folder.
    8. Command+ Shift+G - Open a Go to Folder search.
    9. Command+ Shift+H - Open your Mac's Home folder.
    10. Command+ Shift+I - Open iCloud Drive.
    11. Command+ Shift+K - Open the Network window.
    12. Option+ Command+L - Open the Downloads folder.
    13. Command+ Shift+O - Open the Documents folder.
    14. Command+ Shift+R - Open the AirDrop utility.
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